Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'
Garden Plant Information

Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'

 

Name

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (also called white bleeding heart)

Genus  

Dicentra

Species

spectabilis

Cultivar/variety

 ‘Alba’

General description

Herbaceous perennial with arching stems, grown for foliage and flowers in spring and early summer. The white flowers look especially good in dappled shade, so useful to plant in shady areas.

Season of interest

Attractive foliage and flowers in spring and early summer.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit – clump forming, arching. H: 120cm S: 50cm

  2. Stems – round, smooth, purple with shades of green.

  3. Leaves – mid-green, deeply lobed, smooth.

  4. Flowers – heart-shaped, white with pale green tips, held dangling along arching stems.

Cultural details

Aspect

Sun to shade, but prefers shade.

Soil

Humus-rich, moisture retentive with a cool root run.

Hardiness

Said to be hardy down to at least –20c.

Maintenance

Dislikes disturbance so try to avoid moving or dividing unless really necessary.

Propagation

Division in early spring. Root cuttings are a better idea as the plant resents being

disturbed because of the brittle roots; roots cuttings have a better chance if the

cutting has the beginning of a bud already showing.